Up to 8 minutes on elliptical

Lynn625

When I first got my elliptical, I could not stay on it for a whole minute! I worked my way up on the elliptical to 3 minutes, then 5 minutes, now I am at 8 minutes. I cannot even imagine staying on it for 30 minutes. Has anyone else had this problem?

mamasmaltz3

You are doing a good job. Keep pushing yourself. You CAN do it and you will do it. I am doing 45 to 60 minutes regularly now. I still have 86 lbs to goal weight. When you think you can't do anymore push to do one more minute. And don't tell yourself you can't! Tell yourself "I can and I will!"

twimom03

Yes!!! I kicked myself for getting an elliptical opposed to a treadmill in which I had intended on buying before the sales guy talked me out of it. I could only do 10 mintues but after slowly increasing (5 minutes) every week... I was up to 30 minutes. Listen to your body, and increase the time as you feel comfortable. It is a more challenging workout opposed to walking on a treadmill or outside. I also recommend not to go crazy with your speed or resistance, just get used to the motion and staying on it for longer periods of time. Once you are worked up to a longer time, you can add the resistance and increase your speed in increments. Good Luck!

Sharyn913

I was never big on the elliptical, but I used the ARC trainer, which is similar, but a little more intense. Everyone is different... I started out at 15 minutes, and that took a lot of effort. I'm now doing one hour. So hang in there, YOU CAN DO IT!

Lynn625

My legs just feel like they can't go any further. My mini goal right now is to get to 20 minutes.

Gr8ChangesAhead

I have managed 3 whole minutes on that dreaded machine, haven't tried it for over 3 months now. One of these days I will go back into the gym and conquer that thing. For now I will stick to walking, water aerobics, water jogging. I actually jogged tonight and alternated with brisk walking for 15 minutes total. I usually walk for 1 - 2 hours

nursenessa1

lol yes just add a minute each time! You will get there.

gotpaper

I had the same problem so you are not alone. I can do 30-45 minutes now...not fast but at an even pace. Just keep at it you will increase as you get stronger.

krhadley

It is all personal, I bought mine last week and I turn my resistance up and burn my calories in less time. Then some times I turn it down and read while on it for longer time. Listen to your body and try to do a little more every day...You can do it:)

Mrs_Duh

You are making awesome strides! Stick with it and you'll be to 20 minutes before you know it!

waldenlev

Has anyone else had this problem?

Problem? What problem? You were at 1, then 3, the 5, now 8. You'll get to 10, 15 and 30 in no time flat. I think you're having great success, not a problem!

Jeliwood

I could only do about 3 minutes on the blasted thing when I first started on it (may 15th) now I can do a whole hour and honestly not want to die lol I'm surprised how much I love it. I switch up the cross ramp and the resistance a lot to keep myself entertained.

mamamudbug

My legs just feel like they can't go any further. My mini goal right now is to get to 20 minutes.

That's a good goal. I also started out at 10 minutes and worked up to an hour. You can do it. There were some days I would tell myself I could do one more minute and quit, then as I built up, I would tell myself just 5 more minutes. I can do anything for 5 minutes. You'll get there:flowerforyou:

ladyluch99

Trust me, you will get there. It was only about 2 months ago that I couldn't do even 5 minutes on the elliptical. Now I can do 30+. Just take it easy and go at your own pace adding time as you can. You will get there! Have fun!

timeforachange2011

Keep going! I was the same way I now do resistance level 7-8, 30 incline just to keep my heart rate up and burn calories. You'll get there!!

irisheyez718

You'll get there! I was exactly the same way starting out. Just keep adding a minute when you can!

sun33082

I think it's a matter of getting used to it and not watching the clock. I used to have that problem too. Now I do 30-35 min and mainly stop because I'm bored lol But it's definitely a workout. I've just never been patient with exercise machines.

gogonunubean

Has anyone else had this problem?

Problem? What problem? You were at 1, then 3, the 5, now 8. You'll get to 10, 15 and 30 in no time flat. I think you're having great success, not a problem!

^ This. You are 800% better than you were when you started - that sounds great to me :happy:

wftiger

You are doing so good! My first time was 12 minutes and I only stayed on that long because I was too embarrassed at the gym to get off sooner. I almost had to crawl to my car after that and I couldn't go back to the gym for a week because my legs and butt hurt so bad.

3 months later I am on for 40 at 20 resistance which is where I intend to stay for now. Just go a little bit more every day and you will get to where you want.

kcmcd

Has anyone else had this problem?

Problem? What problem? You were at 1, then 3, the 5, now 8. You'll get to 10, 15 and 30 in no time flat. I think you're having great success, not a problem!

Yes, this!! You've come from less than a minute to eight! That is awesome!

kelfran1

I don't know if you watch the time like I do, but I found it helpful to switch it from the mode where it counts down the whole amount of time (10 minutes or whatever) to the mode where it counts down just the segment that I am currently on. That way when I finish a segment, I tell myself "just one more..." and also if the interval is way high on the resistance then I can see how many more seconds until it bumps itself back down to an easier resistance.

Added: Also, see if you can watch TV while you do it. That takes my mind off the muscle fatigue a little so I can go longer.

adjones_21

to me the elliptical is easier than a treadmill. I have both. I have them in my game room and can watch tv while working out and it makes it seem easier to me...lol

AmyW4225

I remember when I first got my elliptical, a few years back. I could only go for about 10 minutes. Now, it seems almost too easy. I've stayed on there for two hours before and could probably keep going. You WILL get there, keep pushing!!

CynthiaMayela

it's not about how long you can go, It's about quality, you can run during 3 minutes, then have one minute break and run for another 3 minutes... HIIT

pastryari

Good for you!! 8 minutes is a lot better than nothing! You can work your way up to longer. Just keep pushing and I'm sure you'll get there. Congrats on taking those first steps! :flowerforyou:

oh_em_gee

My first day, I lasted 6 minutes. Now, my record is 40. It'll happen. I remember feeling so discouraged Thani could only burn 30 calories, but hey, it was something, and I'm proud of how far I've come

Janiot

Yep - I was the same, now I can go 30 mins but I do 10 mins x3 on 3 different types of elliptical at the gym - only once a week!

donnasjohnson

Totally agree with waldenlev! It's so easy for our perspectives to be negative, when really we are having amazing success! I started in April on the elliptical only being able to do 3 minutes, and now I'm finding myself doing 45 easily. I made a decision that I would get on, and do one minute better each week. Very quickly I was able to blow past that goal and add 5 and an occasional 10. Keep up the great work! You can only improve if first, you step on the machine!

gmpuggles

The elliptical certainly can be a beast to work out on when you first start out on it. The first time I went on one I pushed myself to do 5 minutes and thought it was awful. Then I didn't workout on one for almost a year and now I usually incorporate into my cardio 3 or 4 times during the week. I can do up to 25 minutes before I decide to get off of it.

kimad

Is staying on it for longer hard physically or mentally?

For me it's always been mental, I don't call it the 'dreadmill' for nothing.... but I know I can be on there over an hour now... it's all mind over matter.. I try to get lost in my music and a good daydream.. Sometimes I work out my problems... Set very small goals and when you hit it, set another one right away.

Good luck..

RobynMWilson

Not so much on elliptical but when I first started exercising and was heavy and out of shape it def wasn't easy...I took frequent breaks and just kept trying! I can do more now at almost 40 than I could when I was 15 and losing my weight! JUST KEEP TRYING...try to add a minute each time. If you're getting bored, which I would on an elliptical, try something else that you may enjoy more so that it doesn't feel like a chore. Take a kickboxing or Zumba class, try out workout DVDs at home...a lot of them can be so much fun it doesn't even feel like working out!